A monthly publication of the Garden Community Church

Baby Shower for Open Door Women’s Ministry hosted a Baby Shower for Open Door on April 29th. Neeley Pichard, manager, came and shared about the ministry. Open Door has been serving men and women in Reno county for 15 years. They provide life-affirming support through a variety of medical, education, and outreach services designed to sup-port God’s gift of life. Clients from surrounding counties that lack life-affirming health centers have started coming to them for pregnancy tests and sonograms and realized that other pregnant women need their serves too but don’t have the means of traveling to them. So they are in the process of raising funds to go mobile. They will have a mobile medical unit that will travel to surrounding counties providing all their ser-vices to those who can’t easily access their “brick & mortar” clinic, including ultra sounds. At the end of the shower the ladies had a time of prayer for the Open Door ministry and their clients.

Thank you Garden Community Church for throwing a baby shower for Open Door! We appreciate your generosity and love for our clients and ministry. What a fun event!

Thank you for the wonderful prayer time also.

Blessings!

Neeley Pickard

TYLER MASON, son of Chad & Val Mason, graduated

May 12, from Hesston High School.

FUTURE PLANS: Tyler plans to attend Wichita State

University in the fall and major in Filmmaking.

LEXIE HARMS,

daughter of

Lindley & Kayla

Harms, graduated May 11 from Berean Academy.

FUTURE PLANS: Lexie plans to go to Calvary University

and major in Biblical Studies.

SUSANNA GOOSSEN, daughter of Elwyn & Linda

Goossen, graduated from Homeschool High School.

FUTURE PLANS: Susanna plans to go to Calvary

University and major in Biblical Studies.

High School Graduates

BENJAMIN GOOSSEN, son of Joe & Denise, graduated from John Brown University in December with a

Graphic Design Degree. He works for a Graphic Design Company in Siloam Springs, Arkansas.

NATHAN GOOSSEN, son of Elwyn & Linda, graduated May 11 from Calvary University with an Associates in

Biblical Studies. He will be starting an internship with Bott Radio Network and studying Electrical Engineering

Technology at Metro Community College in Kansas City.

JOEL HARMS, son of Lindley & Kayla, graduated May 10 from Pratt Community College with a n Associate of

Applied Science. He plans to Study Professional Pilot at K-State Polytechnic in Salina this fall.

ERIN MILLER, daughter of Craig & Julie, graduates May 18 from K-State University with a Bachelors degree in

Accounting. She plans to start her Masters degree in Accounting at K-State in June.

MICHELLE MORRISON, daughter of Dennis & Diane, graduated from John Brown University on May 4 with a

degree in Biology. She plans to continue her studies in August at Southern College of Optometry in Memphis.

CASSIE ALBIN— (daughter of Mark & Amy) Hesston Middle School

KYLEE NELSON—(daughter of Chris & Julie) Hesston Middle School

CHRISTIAN VOGT—(son of Kerry & Becky) Hesston Middle School

Congratulations Graduates!

Eighth Grade

College Graduates

IT IS HAPPENING! The new Adult Library is opening this Sunday and is ready for you to come in and check out our new space as well as the many newly purchased books. The color coding on the book spines will still be the defining genre and the card check out procedure will still be the same as before. We are waiting for a work station/desk to arrive which will complete our library makeover. Future plans include bringing the Teen books into the new space which will allow for some expansion in the Children's Library.

Check out some of these newly added books to the different collections. This is only a short list of our new choices. . .

RESOURCES- We have added several new commentary sets to our Resource shelf. The Bible Knowledge Commentaries for both the Old and New Testament. We have also added John MacArther's Commentary on the Bible as well as his Bible Handbook for the whole Bible. As more of us are delving into the Scripture, we felt like we wanted to have study helps available. We currently have a full set of the Holman Commentaries as well as Warren Wiersbe's set. You will find numerous Dictionaries, Topical Bibles and many other useful tools.

CHRISTIAN LIVING - - How to Bless a Missionary by Jennifer Brannon (We have bookmark Prayer Prompts for praying Scriptures for our Missionaries and their fami-

lies. Please pick one up!!) - No More Faking Fine by Esther Felece - The Irresistible Community by Bill Donahue - Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Difficult People by Bob Goff - Suffering by Paul Tripp

PARENTING- - Give Them Wings by Carol Kukendall - The Read Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie - Give Your Child the World by Jamie Martin - Raising World Changers in a A Changing World by Kristen Welch

FICTION- - Lead Me Home Amy Sorrels newest book - No One Ever Asked Katie Ganshert newest release - Sons of Blackbird Mountain by Joanne Bischoff

BIOGRAPHIES - - Five Minutes to Impact by David Osborne - A Chance to Die The Life and Legacy of Amy Carmichael by Elizabeth Elloit

Giving brief reviews of each book would take to much space, so please just stop in and see for yourself the great books we have waiting for your reading pleasure.

I admit I was curious about Mark’s Inductive class. It was at once a little unsettling, then instantly Reward-ing. So much so, that it will forever alter how I “do” opportunities for teaching or encounters with people! (Think about that as you consider your own involvement in Sunday School this summer!) In fact, the class altered a visit Donna and I made this last week to some Christian friends Not from Garden church. Knowing in advance that we all had current health issues, but not wanting to dwell on them, I took a cue from Mark, asking the four of us: What are you especially Thankful for, from this past week? What has God been doing? Also, knowing in advance that both of us couples have some family relationships that are not right and not healthy, we went the opposite direction, asking: Who do you know who has done “parenting” of their children very well? A younger couple and an older couple came immediately to mind. This led to some very fruitful discussion! The approach that Mark introduced us to was not really “his,” but is an established approach that is used more broadly in other parts of the world. It’s principles can be used for small groups, in Sunday School settings, family devotions, visits with friends= parts of it can be used in many different ways. The plan incor-porates not only Scripture itself, but such things as Fellowship, Prayer, “Loving Accountability” among believ-ers, Evangelism, and Application. So, “Inductive Bible Study” is only one component of this broader approach. (Time out for a commercial announcement) To learn more, you will want to circle Sunday “May 26” on your calendar for the Sunday School hour “practice session” in the Fellowship Hall. Let’s define our terms and differentiate between an Inductive approach and a Deductive approach to study-ing something. (And this does Not qualify me as an expert on the subject, I just looked it up to see what we were talking about!!) INDUCTIVE instruction is more Student focused rather than Teacher focused. Teachers give guidance, of course, but it involves students “noticing,” detecting or discovering things, then sharing what they find with the class or a small group within the class, rather than the teacher just Telling students everything. (Hint: It is not a lazy way out! It is not conducive to dozing off!) A DEDUCTIVE approach starts with the presentation of a rule (in our case, a Scripture passage) and is fol-lowed by examples and applications in which the rule is applied. In our traditional church context, the teach-er or preacher studies hard during the week to get acquainted with a passage, then explains it, tells us what it means and how it applies. We mainly Listen (should I say?) unfortunately. At least, in Sunday School we have opportunities for response and interaction. Okay, let’s be ready for more unveiling on Sunday May 26 and consider doing something in quite a different way for Sunday School this summer. ~~ And a personal LS hint: Even if you don’t become a world famous In-ductive teacher or student, be alert to take in some new thoughts and techniques that could well enhance and change how you interact with other people in your world, making you more effective for Jesus Christ in your daily living.

Larry Sperling

N D A Y

O C H O L

Sixty four Senior adults met at the Garden Church, May 4 to be blessed by a remarkable mission minded, musical family from the Ukraine; Mykhailo (Michael) & wife Nina Cherenkov and their four daughters: Caroline (13), Vasilisa (12), Michelle (9) Sarah Stefani (3).

We were delightfully enraptured with a phenomenal 50 minute musical rendition by Caroline and Valisisa playing solo and duets by” Johannes Brahms, Joseph Haydn, Frederic Chopin, Manfred Schmitz, some Ukrainian folk melodies and traditional Christian hymns while being efficiently served by caterer Keith’s Catering from Goessel. The delicious meal consisted of a green salad, oven baked chicken, smoked pork chops, and baked potato with toppings, tea and coffee. Ice cream with various toppings was enjoyed for dessert.

Mykhailo (Michael) Cherenkov is part of Mission Eurasia, Organization, based in Wheaton, IL. Eurasia trains young Chris-tian leaders for practical ministry in 14 countries. These young leaders are bringing the gospel to the furthest corners of Eurasia and Israel. Their mission is to evangelize, train, equip, and mobilize the Next Generation in Eurasia to lead churches in transforming their nations for Christ. Michael stressed the importance, and support of Summer Camping Pro-gram for children. He also shared how their journey led them to the U.S. for the special work and study program with a focus on Christian survival in the Communist USSR, and “how to stay true to yourself and faith in a totalitarian society,” which he cautioned may someday be needed in America.

Michael mentioned a few of simple lessons of Church’s survival in the Soviet history. First lesson: “Disconnect from the propaganda channels. Believers in the USSR did not watch TV. Second lesson: Live inside a long biblical story. If the Bible is your reference book, then you will read and understand all the rest in its light. It helps to save oneself from alien influ-ences. The history of the USSR dragged on for 70 years, it seemed to many that it would always be like that, "Lenin lived, Lenin lives and Lenin will live forever." But for those who are accustomed to living inside biblical history, the Soviet period seemed to be a short time of madness. Michael’s parents always said that freedom would come soon, that the wall would fall, that godlessness would outlive itself. The third lesson: Keep your royal dignity. But Christians should remember their King and proclaim His Kingdom. They must be distinguished by their dignity and their freedom. Serving the King of kings, they never were and will not be slaves of people and systems. They can be persecuted and killed, but they cannot assimi-lated, they will always stand out.”

Nina home-schools and was leading a Church children’s choir and other music ministries in Kyiv region of Ukraine. She teaches her family to love music, and has professionally prepared them for ministry the past seven years. The family is still learning our language, and delighted us with folk Christian songs in Ukrainian language).

A freewill offering of $423.00 was received for their ministries with Mission Eurasia international agency. If you are in-terested in getting in touch with them, please find more information at www.missioneurasia.org. Mykhailo would love to hear from you at Michael@missioneurasia.org

This summer we will do Sunday School (SS) differently than we have been

doing. I suppose most people prefer to keep things as they are. Why? Most

likely two main reasons:

1. Change brings something different. If it’s not too different, we might toler-

ate it. But if it’s quite different we are jolted out of our comfort zone. As

creatures of habit, our normal routines become automatic. Change alters

our comfortable routine and we feel uncomfortable.

2. We genuinely believe (perhaps subconsciously) that when we've been do-

ing something a certain way for a long time, it must be a good way to do it.

And the longer we've been doing it that way, the better it is. So change

isn't simply about doing something new or different—it’s about giving up

something old (and therefore good) for something new (and therefore not

good).

Change comes to churches—and it is no easier in the church than any other

context. I’m not talking change

for change’s sake—but thoughtful

change that refreshes us by nudg-

ing us out of our comfort zones.

When we move out of routines,

our vision may clear because we

are abled to see from a different

perspective.

Bottom line, change can create

opportunity for growth. The prob-

lem is in our attitude towards

change, whether we treat it nega-

tively or we welcome it and ac-

cept it.

This summer, when we do SS in a

different way from what has been

done to this point, it may feel uncomfortable. It is new. It is different. Some

may decide to “take a break” from SS for the summer because of change. I

urge you to reconsider because it might be the best summer SS ever!

Personally, I’m excited for what is coming. Those of us that attended Mark’s 6-

week Sunday School class tasted a bit of what we want the rest of you to taste

as well. It is up to each one us to decide if we will embrace a 10-week change

with anticipation, It is up to us to pray that God will open up opportunity for

personal growth, spiritual growth, and improved relationships with each other.

As we gather around the timeless Word of God in a different way this summer,

join with me (and the SS team) and pray for three things: 1) Ask the Lord to

“open our eyes to behold wondrous things out of your law.” (Psalm 119:18).

2) Ask the Lord to let the winds of change blow fresh fire into your life and

into our church! 3) Pray that we would reach out to each other as a church fam-

ily, learn to know each other better, and deepen our relationships with each

other.

Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

Your faithfulness endures to all gen-

erations; you have established the

earth, and it stands fast.

By your appointment they stand this

day, for all things are your servants.

If your law had not been my delight,

I would have perished in my affliction.

I will never forget your precepts,

for by them you have given me life.

I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.

Psalm 119:89-94 (ESV)

Memory Verse: Exodus 34:6-7—The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth,

maintain faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion and sin.

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

1 Pray to love

God with all

your heart,

soul, strength &

mind.

2 Pray for God's

help in thinking

clearly, not

choosing good

over His best.

3 Pray for Pres.

Trump & his ad-

visors to seek

God, following

Him.

4 Pray God puts

His desires in

the hearts of

the Kunkees.

5 Pray we

choose carefully

what we listen to

& read, that it

honors God & is

helpful.

6 Pray parents

have patience &

right priorities

in setting sum-

mer schedules.

7 Pray for clear

leading for Dan

& Rachel, & a

deep sense of

peace.

8 Pray for

each other to

be brave,

strong, wise &

faithful.

9 The Lord is

good, a strong-

hold, a refuge.

Run to Him.

(Nahum 1:7)

10 Pray Josh &

Hannah are

growing in their

understanding of

scripture.

11 Pray for

those who are

depressed, lone-

ly or grieving.

12 Pray we each

age gracefully,

trusting God,

letting go, hold-

ing to His truth.

13 Pray for

physical well-

being of Josh &

Hannah.

14 Pray farmers

are safe and

alert, making

wise decisions.

15 Pray for

those in a hard

place right now,

hurting physi-

cally or emo-

tionally.

16 Thank God

for a good

church family &

the growth we

experience to-

gether.

17 Pray those in

military turn to

Christ & lean on

Him.

18 Pray Josh &

Camila develop

good relation-

ships with other

parents.

19 Pray God's

mercy & peace

for those who

can't help them-

selves.

20 Talk to God

about what

scares you or

defeats you.

21 Pray contacts

Josh & Camila

make at the

market bring

forth fruit unto

God.

22 Pray college

students seek

God's Kingdom

first, before all

else.

23 Pray Pastor

Craig has wisdom

& discernment in

expositing scrip-

tures.

24 Pray for con-

sistent power to

Harvest Radio to

keep it on the

air.

25 Pray those

ministering in

jails & to mili-

tary speak truth

always.

26 Pray those

who attended

TAG! Continue to

spend time read-

ing the Bible.

27 Pray for a

good salesman

for Harvest Ra-

dio.

28 Pray Sunday

School teachers

delight in time

studying & pre-

paring.

29 Pray we

want God more

than we want

anything else.

30 Pray the Holy Spirit would

make God's word come alive to

you, convicting, encouraging, in-

structing.

Prayer Calendar and Memory Verse